Means for controlling card perforating machines



5ALE5 FLOOP FILE 7 72: wvewony 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MERCNANDISE PEC'V'G CLERK PEC'V'G SHEET NUMEPAL NCH L. F. WOODRUFF El, AL

Original Filed June 17, 1929 v INVOICE PUNCH OPERATOR MEANS FOR CONTROLLING CARD PERFORATING MACHINES 0 VJA JDEP OPDEP Jan. 21, 1936.

5ALE5 PRICE lNVENTOQY DATE REC M'KD'N ORDER no.

DATE PUD.

M0 DAY Inueniur's Marim" L. NiZsm-L Louis Frank L-Juudzw W 5-11 Jan. 21, 1936. WQQDRUFF AL 2,028,638

umms FOR coumomme CARD PERFORATING mcnmss Original Filed June 17, 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 NS 31 3 L 5 Jan. 21, 1936. L, WO DRU Er AL 2,028,638

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING CARD PERFORATING MACHINES Original Filed June 17, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inuen cars max-hm L]. Nelson Louis Frank Hunt-1m wmd ' to the sales floor of the department store.

Patented Jan. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR CONTROLLING CARD PERFORATING MACHINES Louis Frank Woodruif, Brighton, Mass., and Martin L. Nelson, Park Ridge, 111.; said Nelson assignor, by mesne assignments, to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware, and said Woodrufl assignor to Central Records, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application June 17, 1929, Serial No. 371,417 Renewed June 17, 1933 42 Claims. (Cl. 164-113) The present invention relates, in general, to trically control the two machines as will be exmeans for controlling card perforating machines, plained more fully hereinafter. such as the Hollerith and the Powers perforating Fig. 7 shows a side view in part of one of the machines. two machines.

The main object of the present invention is th Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of one of the two provide means whereby two similar mechanical machines. card perforating machines may be simultaneous- In the present invention when articles of merly operated to punch different types of cards.- chandise are ordered by a department store from One of the features of the invention relates to a manufacturer or vender an inventory card is the means whereby one of the card perforating made .out for each article and punched with all machines is operated to double punch its card in the required data relating to such an article. A coded perforations while the other machine is merchandise tag or card is also made out for each operated to single punch its card. article and when the article is received the card A further feature of the invention relates to is attached thereto before it is sent to the sales the storing and code punching arrangement befloor. The merchandise card of the present in- V tween two similar card perforating mechanisms vention is preferably smaller than the inventory which permits the same information to be sicard for various reasons, one of which is that multaneously punched in two cards, one of the it is made for use with a system such as disclosed cards being double punched in code and requiring in the M. L. Nelson application Serial No. 275,643, only one-half of the space that is required on the filed May '7, 1928, and therefore the card is to be other or the single punched card. perforated in such a manner that it contains a The foregoing and other features not specifipart of the same data that is perforated in the cally mentioned may be described more in detail inventory card. In order to save time andpossiby referring to the drawings comprising Figs. ble errors both the inventory card and the'-mer- 1 to 6, which diagrammatically show a sufiicient chandise card are perforated at the same\time amount of apparatus used to enable the invention by two similar card perforating mechanisms to be described and understood. 1 which are controlled by a single set of control Fig. l diagrammatically shows the general laykeys. out of an accounting system using merchandise However, since the merchandise card is condisplay and inventory cards of the above type siderably smaller than the inventory card one of for articles purchased by a department store. the card perforating mechanisms is arranged to Fig. 2 shows a merchandise display card, which code punch the merchandise card with double is double punched in code and which is fastened perforations in the limited space on the merchanto the article for sale to accompany such article dise card in order to punch the same data that is punched on the inventory card. Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows how the inventory cards are fed through a tabulator of the Powers type to print lists in accordance with the perforations in the cards; which lists may be checked against the copy of the order and the invoice to guard against any possible errors which may occur in the punching operation.

Fig. 2 shows in detail the merchandise display card 10 which is both printed and punched with the store department number, the sales price, the serial number, the size, the color, and the classification of the article. The merchandise card is slightly indented along the line X to weaken the same so that the upper portion of the card containing the hole I2 may be detached from the lower portion containing the punched information. The hole 12 is used for fastening the card by means of a string to the article to be sold. The merchandise display card is divided into ten horizontal rows numbered .to 9 con- Fig. 3 shows an inventory card for an article .of merchandise. This card is single punched simultaneously with the merchandise display card and is filed in the inventory file when the article is sent to the sales floor.

Fig. 4 shows a chart by means of which the double code perforations in the display card may be translated to correspond to a portion of the single punchings on the inventory card.

Fig. 5 shows the circuit arrangements, magnets and relays for controlling the perforating machine which single punches the inventory cards.

Fig. 6 shows the circuit arrangements, magnets, and relays for controlling the perforating machine which double punches the merchandise display cards. The two machines are mechanically similar to the perforating machine disclosed in Patent No. 1,305,557, issued June 3',- 1919, to W. W. Lasker. However, in the present invention electric circuits have been designed to elecsecutively from bottom to top, and into ten vertical columns numbered 1 to 10 consecutively from left to right. The dot-dash line Y divides the card into upper and lower sections so that each vertical column has an upper and a lower field in which the coded perforations corresponding to numerals may be made.

Fig. 3 shows in detail an inventory card which is provided for each article purchased by the department store. Each inventory card is divided into forty-five vertical columns numbered 1 to 45, consecutively, from left to right, and is divided into ten horizontal rows numbered 0 to 9 consecutively from top to bottom. This card is divided into fields for designating certain information when perforated therein. For instance, the first field comprising vertical columns 1, 2, and 3 designates the month and day the article was purchased, the second fleld including columns 4, 5, 6,

and 7 designates the department store number of the order, the third field including columns 8, 9, 10, and II designates the code number of the manufacturer to whom the order was sent, the fourth field including columns 12, 13, and 14 designates in coded form the date received by month and season so that at a later date the store manager or buyer is enabled to find out how long the article has been on the sales fioor and whether the article is in season. The fifth field comprising columns 15, 16 and 17 is for use when the price of an article has been marked down for special sale or other cause, the column 15 indicating the number of times the article has been marked down and columns 16 and 17, the.

reason why such article is marked down. In a similar manner the remaining columns are divided into fields as shown by heavy lines to designate the department number, classification of article, the cost price, the sales price, the serial number, the size, the color, the kind of material, and the style of the article.

The inventory card H is single punched with a single perforation in each vertical column to designate numerals corresponding to certain data dependent upon the fields in which the perforations appear. In order that the merchandise card be punched with the same information as the inventory card, it is necessary that each vertical column in the merchandise card have perforations therein which will correspond to two numerals instead of one numeral because of the limited space on the merchandise card. Each vertical column of the merchandise card is therefore divided into two sections, an upper section or field and a lower section or field. Since each field of each vertical column has perforation spaces less in number than the number of numerals which are to be designated, the various numerals are represented in code, that is, each numeral is represented by two perforations. Successive numerals in the merchandise card are designated by combination perforations .in the upper and then the lower fields of each successive vertical column. The code for perforating the merchandisecard is clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, the mechanical operation of the two punching machines is preferably the same as disclosed in United States Letters Patent, No. 1,305,557, to which reference can be had for details not here deemed necessary to described. Generally the feeding means for f the card: may be any suitable construction for successively removing the cards one at a time from a stack and delivering them to feed rollers Hi. The cards are delivered to the rollers HI the card because these by a block which is operated in timed relation to the cycle of operations by means of connection with the main shaft I85. The cards delivered from the card magazine enter a passage I24 of the punching unit II I and abut an automatically operated stop which locates the card punching positions in position respectively with punches 126 on one side and holes 121 in a die 128 on the other side. The punches 126 are guided at their lower ends by a plate I30 which moves with the die 12! and the arrangement is such that when the card engages, with the punches which are not set such punches will be pressed back by the card and die without making perforations, while the punches which have been set will perforate punches are locked in operated position.

The perforating selecting means or set-up bars III are slidably mounted in a fixed frame 132, each being notched to form a cam acting latch 133 which, upon movement of the bar 13!, shifts a laterally movable latch plate 734 so that any selected set up bar "I will be held down and locked during the punching operation. Below the set up frame 132 is a cage 134' holding a plurality of slidable punch engaging pins 135, the number corresponding to the number of set-bars Ill andthe arrangement being such that each pin 135 is in alinement with a set-bar 13] at its upper end and with a punch (26 at its lower end. The pins 135 are respectively held projected into engagement with the set-bars "I by springs 135 so that each is automatically returned to normal position, with its lower end spaced from its punch,

and also returns its bar "I when the latter is released after the punching operation. The punches 128 are similarly arranged and correspond to the number and arrangement of the setbars Ill so that whenever a pin 135 is held locked and projected into engagement with its punch head that particular punch will be rigidly held against movement imparted by the die (28.

The selection and setting of the perforating selecting means or set-up bars 13! is accomplished by a carriage 131, which is arranged to travel by a step-by-stepmovement to successive rows or groups of set-up bars 13!. This carriage is provided with a plurality of spring pressed plungers 138 corresponding in arrangement and number to a record column of the inventory card,

which in the preferred form is made up of twelve record positions representing numbers. Associated with each plunger 138 is a flexible rod extending to a solenoid magnet and arranged so that the energization of the solenoid magnet moves the rod to cause the operation of its associ ated plunger 138. In the first machine there is provided a key, such as key N12, for each solenoid magnet, such as magnet I22 while the magnets of the second machine are controlled by the same keys and relays such as relays 230 to 238, inclusive, and relays Hi to I50, inclusive, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

In the operation of the punching unit, the carriage I31 travels longitudinally step-by-step across the rows of set-up bars "I stopping momentarily over each row so that the actuation of any of its plungers 138 will cause a set-up bar "I to project its pin 135 into the path of the -alined punch 126. In the present invention the carriage one step responsive to two actuations of a key or keys because only the second actuation of a key operates the magnets, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

When the complete set-up is made, the trip key TR is depressed to control the actuation of the machine so that the die 128 rises to bring the card into punching relation with the punches and those which are rigidly held by the set pins 135 are caused to perforate the card. The reciprocation of the die 128 takes place in timed relation with the rotation of the shaft I85 after which the cards are moved out of the punching machines into their card hoppers in a well known manner.

Having described the system and the apparatus.

to be used, a detailed description will now be given of the operations necessary to punch the inventory and merchandise cards.

The punch operator, upon receiving a copy of a merchandise order, will first close the knife switch I98 to start the motors I91 and 291 of the respective punches shown in Figs. and 6. The punch operator now operates the keys of the key board in accordance with the data on the merchandise order. The operator, therefore, operates key I03 and then key IOI twice in order to punch the inventory card II (Fig. 3) in vertical columns 1, 2, and 3 with the date of purchase. Responsive to the operation of key I03 a circuit may be traced as follows for energizing the punch magnet I23: From ground by way of repeat switch spring I8I and its resting contact, key I03, magnet I23, conductor I00, terminal I18, and battery at lever I16. Relay I43 energizes in parallel with magnet I23 and at armatures I51 and I58 connects the common conductor IIG to conductors MI and 205. The closure of these contacts are without effect at this time because the control springs I12 are not closed in this position of the punch carriage. Magnet I23, upon energizing, sets the perforating means or pins of the punch so as to punch the inventory card in horizontal row 3 in vertical column 1. When the key I03 is released, relay I43 and magnet I23 deenergize. The deenergization of the magnet causes the carriage, due to its escapement mechanism, to move one step so that the carriage is in position to set the next row of perforating means to punch the inventory card in the second vertical column. Responsive to the operation of key IOI relay HI and punch magnet I2I energize from ground at spring "I over conductor I00 and battery at lever I16; Relay I at armatures I53 and I54 connects the common conductor II6 to conductor 20I and conductor 203. This operation, at this time, is also ineffective. because the common conductor H6 is not connected to the common grounded conductor 200. Magnet I2I operates and sets the perforating means to punch the inventory card in horizontal row 1 in vertical col umn 2 and upon the release of key IOI the magnet and relay release; and the magnet, in the well known manner, causes the carriage to take another step. The same operation just explained takes place responsive to the second actuation of the key I 0 I. The perforating means of the punch is now set to punch the inventory card in accordance with the date of the purchase of the merchandise, which in this case, is the third month or March and the eleventh day of the third month.

The operator again refers to the copy of the order and now operates the keys in accordance with the number of the order, which in this case is order No. 2345. The operator accordingly op- ,erates the keys I02, I03, I04, and I05, thereby causing the punch magnets I22, I23, I24, and I25 in the order named to set the perforating means to punch the inventory card in vertical columns 5 4, 5, 6, and '1 in horizontal rows 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Relays I42 to I45, inclusive, also energize in parallel with the punch magnets but their operations are ineffective because the control springs I12 are still open. Responsive to the operation of the magnets the carriage of the punch has been stepped to position 8 ready to set the next row of perforating means to punch the inventory card in vertical column 8. In a similar manner the operator again refers to the copy of the order and operates the keys in accordance with the code number of the manufacturer to whom the order was sent, or in this case No. 4321. Responsive to this operation the perforating means is set to punch the inventory card II in columns 8, 9, 10 and 11 as illustrated in Fig. 3. In case the merchandise on the above-mentioned order has not been received at the time that the operator is punching the cards, the vertical columns 12, 13, and 14 are left blank, or in other skip magnet is operated to operate the escapement of the carriage to take one step for each actuation thereof in a well known manner. In a similar manner the operator operates the skip key to cause the carriage to' move to position I1.

When the carriage of the punch (Fig. 5) reaches its seventeenth position the control bar I1I has been moved to the right a sufiicient distance to close the control springs I12. The closure of the control springs I12 connects the grounded conductor 200 to the common conductor II6 so that" 40 the operation of the relays such as relay I are effective to now close operating circuits over the conductors 20I to 205, inclusive.

The operator now operates the keys IIO, I02,

lol, and H0 in succession in the order named in. 4:,

order to punch both the merchandise tag or card I0 and the inventory card II with the mark-down reason number, if any, the department number for which the merchandise or goods was purchased, and in accordance with the classification 50 of the article bought. Responsive to the operation of key I I0, magnet I30 and relay I50 are energized by way of the grounded conductor 200. Magnet I30 operates and sets the" perforating means to punch the inventory card in horizontal row "0 vertical column 17 to indicate that this arti le has not been marked down. Relay I50, upo energizing, at armatures I5I and- I52 closes circuits for energizing relays 230 and 23I (Fig. 6) as follows: from grounded conductor 200, through control springs I12 which are now closed, conductor I I0 and thence by way of armatures I5I and I52 over conductor 20I and conductor 202 and armatures 252 and 253 and their resting contacts to relay 230 and relay 23I to battery. Relays 230 and 23I, upon energizing, at armatures 230 and 2 complete locking circuits for themselves in series with relay 238 and grounded armature 249 and at armatures 240 and 242 prepare circuits for operating magnets 229 and 228. Relay 238 does not immediately energize in series with relays 230 and 23I because relay 238 is short circuited from the ground connected to conductor I I6. When the operator releases the key IIO magnet I30 and relay I50 deenergize. -Responsive to the deenergization of magnet I20 the carriage of the first machine (Fig. is stepped to the next position or position I3 and the relay I50, upon deenergizing, at armatures I5I and I52 removes ground from conductors I and 232, thereby removing the short circuit around relay 233, whereupon the latter relay energizes in series with the locking circuits of relays 220 and 23I. Relay 223, upon energizing, at armatures 252, 252, 254, 255, and 255 transfers the conductors "I, 202, 202, 234, and 235 from relays 223, 22I, 222, 222, and 224 to magnets 224,222, 222, 22I,and 223, respectively. At armature 251 relay 223 prepares a circuit for relay 235 and a locking circuit for relay 225.

Responsive to the operation of key I02, magnet I22 and relay I42 energize over the grounded conductor 200. Magnet I22 prepares the perforating means of the first machine to punch the inventory card in horizontal row 2 in vertical column I3 and relay I42 at armatures I55 and I55 grounds conductors 20I and 204 by way of conductor H5 and control springs I12. Responsive to the grounding of conductors 20I and 234, circuits may be traced for energizing magnet 224 and magnet 22I in series with relay 221 as follows: from grounded conductor 20! armature 252 and its working contact, magnet 224, winding of relay 221, terminal 210, and battery on lever 215; and from grounded conductor 204 by way of armature 255 and its working contact, magnet HI, and winding of relay 221 to battery at terminal 213 as previously traced. Relay 231, upon energizing, at armature 25I closes a circuit for energizing relay 226 and magnets 223 and 223. These magnets are operated practically simultaneously with magnets 224 and HI. Responsive to the operation of magnets 22I, 224, 223 and 229 the perforating means of the punch shown in Fig. 6 is set to punch the merchandise card in horizontal rows I, 4, 3, and 9 in vertical column I as indicated in Fig. 2. Relay 235, upon energizing, at armature 250 closes a locking circuit for itself in series with relay 235 by way of grounded armature 251 of the transfer relay 223. Relay 235 does not immediately energize because the same is short circuited from ground by way of armatures 25I and 251. When the operator releases the key I02 the magnet I22 and relay I42 deenergize. The deenergization of punch magnet I22 steps the carriage in the same manner as previously explained and the deenergization of relay I42 removes ground from conductors 20I and 234, thereby opening the circuits of magnets 224 and HI and relay 231. Relay 221, upon deenergizing, at armature 25I-removes the short circuit from around relay 235 and also opens the circuits of magnets 229 and 228, thereby causing such magnets to deenergize. Responsive to the deenergization of magnets 22!, 223, 224 and Hi the carriage of the punch shown in Fig. 6 is permitted, due to its escapement, to take one step. when the short circuit around relay 235 is removed at armature 25I, relay 225 energizes in series with the locking circuit of relay 225. At armature 243 relay 225 opens the circuit of relays 223, 220, and NI, whereupon said relays denerglze. At armature 251 transfer relay 223 opens the circuit of relays 235 and 225, whereupon such relays deenergize. At armatures 252 to 256, inclusive, transfer relay 233 transfers the conductors 23I to 235, inclusive, back into engagement with relays 223 to 224, inclusive. The relays and magnets of the punch shown in Fig. 6 are now in normal position ready for the next operation while aoaaess the carriage has been moved to position 2 in readiness to set the next row of perforating means to punch in the second vertical column of the merchandise card I0.

Responsive to the operation of key IOI magnet I2I and relay I4I energize from grounded conductor 200. Magnet I2I causes the perforating means to be set to punch the inventory card in horizontal row I in vertical column I9, and relay I4I at armatures I52 and I54 grounds conductors 20I and 203. Responsive to the grounding of conductors 20I and 202 relays 230 and 232 energize over a circuit similar to that previously traced for relays 230 and 22I. At armatures 240 and 244 relays 230 and 222 prepare operating circuits for magnets 220 and 221 and at armatures 220 and 242 relays 230 and 232 close locking circuits for themselves in series with transfer relay 233. Transfer relay 225 does not immediately energize because it is short circuited by ground extending over conductors 20I and 203. When key MI is released the magnet I2I is deenergized to permit the carriage to move one step andrelay I at armature I54 and armature I54 removes ground from conductors 20I and 202 thereby removing the short circuit from around transfer relay 223 and permitting such relay to energize in series with the locking circuits of relays 223 and 222. Transfer relay 223 at armatures 252 to 253, inclusive, again transfers the leads 20I to 203, inclusive, from the relays direct to the magnets so that the next operation of a key in Fig. 5 operates the magnets direct instead of the relays. Responsive to the operation of key III magnet I23 is operated to prepare the perforating means to punch the inventory cards in the zero horizontal row in vertical column 20 and relay I50 is energized to ground conductors 20I and 202 at armatures I5I and I52. The magnets 224 and 223 and relay 231 energize by way of grounded conductors 20I and 202 to battery at terminal 213. At armature 25I relay 221 closes the circuit for operating magnets 229 and 221 and also closes the circuit for energizing relay 226. The punch magnets 22!, 221, 224, and 223 energize and set the perforating means of the punch in Fig. 6 to punch the merchandise card in vertical column 2 as indicated in Fig. 2. When the operator releases the key IIO magnet I30 deenergizes, thereby causing the carriage of the punch in Fig. 5 to operate one step and relay I50 to remove ground from conductors 20I and 202 at armatures I5I and I 52. When ground is removed from conductors 20I and 202 magnets 224 and 223 and relay 221 deenergize. At armature 25I relay 221 opens the circuits of magnets 228 and 221 thereby permitting all of the magnets to release and step the carriage of the punch in Fig. 6 toits next position or in a position corresponding to the third vertical column of the merchandise card. At armature 25I relay 221 again removes the short circuit from around relay 235, thereby permitting such relay to energize in series with the locking circuit of relay 235. Relay 225, upon energizing, at armature 249 opens the circuit of transfer relay 220 and relays 230 and 222, thereby permitting such relays to deenergize and return their various armatures to normal position. The circuits of relays 225 and 236 are opened at armature 251 by the deenergization of relay 223. All of the apparatus in Fig. 6 is now in normal position with the exception of the carriage which is now in position 2. When the carriage of the punch shown in Fig. 5 moves into position 2i the control bar I" opens the control springs I12 so that the relays in Fig. 5 do not control the punch in Fig. 6 while the punch in Fig. 5 is punching in columns 2|, 22, .23, 24, and 25. By the operation of the proper keys the cost price of the article by the punch in Fig. 5 is set in the proper rows of the perforating means in an obvious manner and it is thought that this operation need not be explained because it is the same as heretofore described. When the carriage of the punch shown in Fig. 5 reaches its twenty-sixth position the control bar I1I agrin closes the control springs I12 so that the relays in Fig. 5 may control the punch in Fig. 6.

The operator now operates the keys in accordance with the sales price and the punch in Fig. 5

and the punch in Fig. 6 are operated in a manner similar to that described to prepare the perforating means to punch the inventory card I I and the merchandise card I as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Since the operation of the two punches is practically similar to that previously described, it is believed that further explanation is deemed unnecessary when it is understood that the punch in Fig. 6 is only controlled during the time that the control bar I1I closes the control springs I12. It will be noted that the punch in Fig. 6 stores the first digit on the relays such as relays 230 to 234 while the punch in Fig. 5 is setting the perforating means responsive to the first operation of a key and that when a second key is operated the punch in Fig. 5 sets the perforating means of the next or second set and this time causes circuits to be closed to Fig. 6 so that four magnets (two of which have been previously prepared by the storing relays) are operated to set the perforating means of one row or set to punch the merchandise card with four perforations in a single vertical column. By remembering that the magnets in Fig. 6 punch holes in horizontal rows in accordance with the last digits of their reference characters it can be plainly seen by consulting the chart in Fig. 4 that the merchandise card shown in Fig. 2 will be punched in the manner as indicated in Fig. 2 responsive to the operation of the proper keys. After completely setting the various sets of perforating means the operator will operate the trip key TR, thereby closing a circuit for energizing relay I19 as follows: from grounded conductor 200, trip springs TR, relay I19, conductor I00, and terminal I18 to battery. Trip relay I19, upon energizing, at armature I80 permits the tensioned spring I92 to rotate the flange I94 into engagement with the rotating flange I95 by operating armature I80 out of the path of the pin I 93. The spring I92 turns the flange I94 upon its threads so that flange I94 engages the rotating flange I95 thereby causing the shaft I85, the interrupter I84 and flange I90 to rotate with the shaft I96 The rotation of shaft I85 causes the card to be perforated in accordance with the pins or perforating means which have been set and locked responsive to the operation of the magnets as previously described. After the cards have been punched the. operator may operate the carriage return key CR, or in case she does not, the interrupter I84 will be rotated so as to complete a circuit between springs I82 and I83, for the purpose of energizing the carrlage return relay. In either case relay I13 is energized from grounded conductor 209 by way of the carriage return springs CR, or springs I 82 and I83, to the winding of relay I13 and battery. By the operatio'n'of armature I14 relay I13 permits the lever I16 to be operated by spring tension so that the battery connected tolever I16 is disengaged from terminal I18 and is connected to terminal I11. Due to this operation a circuit may be traced from ground at wiper I88, through the copper band on the magnetic clutch and through the winding of the magnetic clutch to the copper band, which is engaged by wiper I86, terminal I11 and battery on lever I16. Due to the energization of the winding of, the magnetic clutch the magnetic clutch I89 is magnetically held in engagement with the rotating disc I90 thereby causing the clutch to wind up the tape I81 to cause the carriage of the punch to be returned to its normal position. The return of the carriage to normal position causes all of the pins which have been locked in operated position to be returned to their normal position in a manner similar to that described in the Patent No. 1,643,779, ,issued September 27, 1927, to W. W. Lasker. When the carriage return relay I13 operated its armature I14 lever I16 opened the circuit of trip relay I19, thereby permitting the latter relay to drop its armature I80 in the path of the rotating pin I93. When the carriage of the punch shown in Fig. 5 has been returned to its normal position, arm I15 strikes the lever I16 to cause it to disengage from terminal I11 and engage with terminal I18. At this time the wipers I82 and I83 of the interrupter no longer complete the circuit for relay I13 and therefore armature I14 is allowed to drop in position to hold the lever I16 in the position shown in the drawings until relay I13 is again actuated. By the disengagement of the lever I16 from terminal I11 the circuit through the winding of the magnetic clutch is opened and the carriage remains in normal or its home position until again actuated by its escapement. The two shafts I85.and

normal position and may now be used for punching a different inventory card it being understood that a new card has been positioned in punching position in the manner described in the aforesaid Lasker patent.

The operation of the trip key TB in addition to closing a circuit for the trip relay I19 also closes a circuit over conductor 206 to the trip magnet 219 inFig. 6. The carriage return relay 213 is also operated over conductors 200 and 201 in a manner similar to the operation of carriage return relay I13 and it is believed that it can be readily seen that the carriage of the punch shown in Fig. 6 is returned to its normal position in a manner similar to that described for the punch carried in Fig. 5.

The invention having been fully described, what is considered new and is desired to have pro tected by Letters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a card perforating system, two card perforating mechanisms each having a carriage opera-ted step by step to successive setting positions,

a single set of keys for controlling the operation of both said mechanisms, means for moving the carriage of the first mechanism to successive setting positions responsive to each successive operation of said keys, and means for moving the carriage of the second mechanism to successive setting positions responsive to only each successive second operation of said keys.

2. The combination of two card perforating machines, of a single set of keys for controlling the perforating selections of both said machines, of means responsive to an operation of one of said keys for causing the first of said machines to perform a punch selecting operation in accordance with the actuated key, and means responsive to a subsequent operation of another one of said keys for causing said first machine to perform a punch selecting operation in accordance therewith and for causing the second of said machines to perform a punch selecting operation in accordance with the operation of both said keys.

3. In a card punching machine, sets of perforating means, a plurality of magnets for controlling the setting of the perforating means, a set of keys for controlling said magnets to set the perforating means to punch cards, and means for operating said machine in two stages to set its perforating means to punch a card with a plurality of perforations in a single punching operation, the actuation of a key during the first of said stages selecting a plurality of said magnets for operation responsive to the actuation of a key during the second of said stages and the operation of said key during the said second stage completing the operation of said selected magnets and operating an additional plurality of said magnets.

4. In a card perforating system, a plurality of card punching machines and perforating means therefor, a plurality of magnets for controlling the setting of the perforating means in each of said machines, a single set of keys for controlling said magnets, means responsive to the operation of one of said keys for operating one of said magnets in the first of said machines and for preparing a plurality of the magnets in the second of said machines for operation, and means responsive to a subsequent operation of one of said keys for operating one of said magnets in the first of said machines, for operating the said prepared magnets in the second of said machines and for operating an additional plurality of said magnets in the second of said machines.

5. The combination of two card perforating machines, of perforating means and a single set of keys for controlling the perforating selections of both said machines, of a storage device associated with the second of said machines, means responsive to the operation of one of said keys for setting the perforating means of the first of said machines in accordance therewith and for setting said storage device in accordance with the actuated key, and means responsive to another operation of one of said keys for setting the perforating means of said first machine in accordance therewith and for setting the perforating means of said second machine in accordance with the setting of said storage device and in accordance with the last actuated key.

6. In a card perforating machine, perforating means, a control key, a magnet for setting a perforating means, a circuit for said magnet, a storage relay adapted when energized to prepare the circuit of said magnet, a circuit for energizing said storage relay completely responsive to the actuation of said control key, a transfer relay energized responsive to the opening of said storage relay circuit, a control relay for completing the energizing circuit of said magnet, a second perforating setting magnet, and a circuit for energizing said control relay and said second magnet placed under the control of said key by said transfer relay.

7. In a plurality of card punching machines, a control key, a perforating control magnet in a first one of said machines, a perforating control magnet in a second one of said machines, a circuit for the second of said magnets, a storage relay adapted when energized to prepare the circuit for energizing said second magnet, a circuit for energizing said first magnet and a circuit for energizing said storage relay completed responsive to the first actuation of said key, a transfer relay energized in series with said storage ,relay responsively to the release of the actuated key, a control relay for completing the energizing circuit of said second magnet, another perforating control magnet in the second of said machines, and a circuit for energizing said control relay and said other magnet placed under control of said key by the energization of said transfer relay whereby a second operation of said key completes the circuit for energizing said control relay and said other magnet and the energization of the control relay completes the circuit for energizing said second magnet.

8. In a card perforating machine, perforating means, a plurality of magnets for controlling the perforating means to punch statistical cards, a set of storage devices for preparing a portion of said magnets for operation, a set of control keys for controlling said storage devices and said magnets, a transfer device for shifting the control of said keys from said storage devices to a plurality of said magnets, means for operating a portion of said storage devices when a key is actuated, and means for operating said transfer device when the key is restored.

9. In a card perforating machine for punching statistical cards, a set of control keys, a storage device comprising a set of storage relays, a set of conductors normally connected to said storage 'relays, a set of perforating control magnets, and

a transfer relay and circuits effective to disconnect the said storage relays from said conductors and to connect said magnets to said conductors whenever a control key is operated and released.

10. In a recording machine, a storage device, a plurality of magnets controlled by said storage device, a set of conductors normally extending to said storage device, other magnets, means for operating the storage device over said conductors and for thereafter transferring said conductors to said other magnets, and means for operating some of said other magnets directly over said conductors and for simultaneously operating certain of said plurality of magnets in accordance with the operated storage device, and means responsive thereto for thereafter transferring said conductors back to said storage device.

11. In a plurality of recording machines, a control key, a recording magnet in the first machine, a recording magnet in the second machine, a storage relay, 8. transfer relay, and a control relay associated with said machines, means for energizing the first magnet responsive to each actuation of said ke'y, means for energizing said storage relay to prepare said second magnet for operation responsive to the first actuation of said key, means for energizing said transfer relay and for maintaining said storage relay energized responsive to the release of said key, another recording magnet in the second-machine, means operated by the energization of said transfer relay for preparing said control relay and said other magnet for operation, means for energizing said control relay and said other magnet responsive to the second actuation of said key, and means for energizing the said second magnet responsive to the energization of said control relay.

12. In a card perforating machine, a plurality of rows of perforator selecting means, corresponding perforating means therefor, each of said perforator selecting means adapted when operated to control a corresponding perforating means to perforate a card with a single perforation, each of said rows comprising a first and a second group of said perforator selecting means, a plurality of devices, each device respectively representing certain information, means responsive to the actuation of any one of said devices for selecting a plurality of said perforator selecting means in certain combinations in the first group of the first row, means responsive to another actuation of any one of said devices for selecting a plurality of said perforator selecting means in certain combinations in the second group in the first" row, said selectedperforator selecting means operating the corresponding perforating means to perforam a card with combinational perforations in accordance with the devices actuated.

13. In a card perforating machine, a plurality of rows of perforator selecting means and corresponding perforating means, each of said perforator selecting means adapted when operated to control a corresponding perforating means to perforate a card with a single perforation, each of said rows comprising a first and a second group of said perforator selecting means, a plurality of devices, each device respectively representing certain information, means responsive to the actuation of any one of said devices for selecting a plurality of said perforator selecting means in certain combinations in the first group of the first row, means responsive to another actuation of any one of said devices for selecting a plurality of said perforator selecting means in certain combinations in the second group in the first row, and means responsive to the actuation of the last mentioned one of said devices for operating said selected perforator selecting means in the first row to select corresponding perforating means and for'rendering the perforator selecting means in the second of said rows selectable by said devices.

- 14. In a card perforating machine, successive rows of perforator selecting means, each row including a first and a second group of said perforator selecting means, a plurality of devices, each device representing certain information, means for selecting a perforator selecting means in the first group of a row responsive to the first operation of any one of said devices, means for operating the selected perforator selecting means in the first group and for operating a perforator selecting means in the second group of such row responsive to a second operation of any one of said devices, means operated responsive to said second operation for rendering the next row of said perforator selecting means selectable, and means for perforating a card with coded information in accordance with the operated ones of said perforator selecting means.

15. In a card perforating machine for perforating cards, perforator selecting means arranged in successive columns, each of said columns divided into two sections, keys representing data, a carriage for rendering successive columns of said perforator selecting means selectable, means for selecting a perforator selecting means in the first section of the first column in response to the first actuation of any one of said keys and for selecting a perforator selecting means in the second section of the first column in response to a second actuation of one of said keys, means responsive to said last selection for shifting said carriage to render the second column of perforator selecting means selectable in response to subsequent actuations of said keys and perforating means controlled by the selected perforator selecting means for perforating a card with data perforations.

16. In a card perforating machine for perforating cards with coded perforations, perforator se lecting means arranged in successive columns and each column containing a plurality of groups of said perforator selecting means, devices representing data, a carriage for rendering successive columns of said perforator selecting means selectable, means for selecting a plurality of perforator selecting means in the first group of the first column in response to the first actuation of any one of said devices and for selecting a plurality of perforator selecting means in the second group of the first column in response to a second actuation of any one of said devices, means responsive to each second selection for shifting said carriage to render the next succeeding column of perforator selecting means selectable in response to subsequent actuations of said devices, and perforating means controlled by the selected perforator selecting means for perforating a card with coded data perforations in fields in perforation spaces thereon.

17.In a card perforating machine for perforating cards, perforator selecting means arranged in rows and divided into a first and second group, devices representing data, means responsive to each odd successive operation of any one of said devices for selecting perforator ses lecting means in the first group of each successive row, means responsive to each even successive operation of any one of said devices for selecting perforator selecting means in the second group of each successive row, and means for perforating a card in accordance with said selections and the successive operated devices.

18. In a card perforating system, a first card perforating machine having successive rows of perforator selecting means, a second card pera forating machine having successive rows of perforator selecting means divided into first and second groups, devices representing data, means responsive to each odd actuation of one of said devices for selecting a single perforator selecting means in successive odd rows in the first machine and a plurality of perforator selecting means in each row in the first group in the second machine, means responsive to each even actuation of one of said devices for selecting a single perforator selecting means in successiveeven rows in the first machine and a plurality of perforator selecting means in each row in the second group in the second machine, and means for perforating a card in the first machine and a different sized card in the second machine in accordance with said selections with corresponding information but with non-corresponding perforations. v 19. In a card perforating system, a first and a second card perforating machine each having row .in the second machine in response to the first operation of any one of said devices and for selecting a single perforator selecting means in the second row of the first machine and a plurality of perforator selecting means in the remaining portion of the first row of the second machine in response to the second operation of any one of said devices, perforating means in both machines, and means for simultaneously operating said perforating means in said machines in accordance with said selections to perforate a card in the first machine with single perforations in successive rows and a smaller card in the second machine with combinational perforations whereby said cards are perforated with corresponding information but non-corresponding perforations in accordance with the devices operated. 20. In a card perforating system, a first and a second card perforating machine each having rows of perforator selecting means therein, de-

vices representing data, a carriage for each machine for rendering successive rows of said perforator selecting means selectable, means responsive to each odd actuation of any one of said devices for selecting a single perforator selecting means in successive odd rows of the first machine and a plurality of perforator selecting means in a portion of each successive row of the second machine and for thereafter operating the carriage of the first machine to render successive even rows of perforator selecting means in the firstmachine selectable, means responsive to each even operation of any device'for selecting a single perforator selecting means in successive even rows of the first machine and a plurality of perforator selecting means in the remaining portions of each successive row in the second machine and for thereafter operating the carriage of the first machine to render the succeeding odd row of perforator selecting means therein selectable and the carriage of the second machine to render the next succeeding row of perforator selecting means therein selectable, perforating means in both machines, and means for simul- 7 taneously operating the perforating means in said machines in accordance with said selections to perforate a card in the first machine with single perforations and a smaller card in the sec-' ond machine with combinational perforations whereby said cards are simultaneously perforated with corresponding information but non-corresponding perforations in accordance with the devices actuated.

21. In a card perforating machine, a plurality of rows of perforating means, each of said perforating means adapted to perforate a card with a single perforation, each of said rows comprising a first and a second group of perforating means, perforator selecting means individual to each perforating means and correspondingly divided into rows and groups, a device, means responsive to the actuation of said device at given times for selecting a plurality of perforating selecting means in a certain combination in any one of said first groups of perforator selecting means, means responsive to the actuation of said device at different predetermined times for selecting a plurality of perforator selecting means in a certain combination in any one of said second groups of perforator selecting means, said selected perforator selecting means controlling their corresponding perforating means to perforate a card with combinational perforations in accordance with the actuations of said device.

22. In a card perforating machine, a plurality of rows of perforating means, each of said perforating means adapted to perforate a card with a single perforation, each of said rows comprising a first and a second group of perforating means, the first groups of perforating means corresponding to a first punching field on a card and the second groups of perforating means corresponding to a second punching field on such card, perforator selecting means individual to each perforating means and correspondingly arranged in rows and groups, a device, means responsive to the actuation of said device at given times for selecting a plurality of perforator selecting means in a certain combination in any one of said first groups of perforator selecting means, means responsive to the actuation of said device at different predetermined times for selecting a plurality of perforator selecting means in a certain combination in any one of said second groups of perforator selecting means. said selected perforator selecting means in said first groups controlling corresponding perforating means in their first groups to perforate a card with combinational perforations in the first field and said selected perforator selecting means in said second groups controlling corresponding perforating means in their second groups to perforate such card with combinational perforations in the second field in accordance with the actuations of said device.

23. In a card perforating machine for perforating a card having two fields, the combination of a plurality of rows of perforating means, each row comprising a first and a second group of perforating means, said first groups of perforating means corresponding to the first field on the card and said second groups of perforating means corresponding to the second field on the card, a first group of magnets, a second group of magnets, 11 group of coding devices, a set of keys, and transfer means operable from a non-operated to an operated position; said coding devices operating responsive to the actuation of any of said keys to operate the first group magnets in case said transfer means is in its non-operated position or to actuate said second group magnets in case said transfer means is in its operated position, said first group magnets operated to select the per-.

forating means in said first groups, said second group magnets operated to select the perforating means in said second groups, said selected perforating means in said first groups operated to perforate a card in the first field and said selected perforating means in said second groups operated to perforate such card in the second field in accordance with the actuations of said keys.

24. In a card perforating machine for perforating cards, perforating means arranged in columns, each of said columns divided into two sections for perforating a card in two fields, perforator selecting means individual to each perforating means and correspondingly divided into two sections, devices representing data, means including a carriage for rendering successive columns of said perforator selecting means selectable, means responsive to the actuation of any of said devices at given times for selecting perforator selecting means in said first sections, means responsive to the actuations of the same or different ones of said devices at different predetermined times for selecting perforator selecting means in said second sections, said selected perforator selecting means in said first sections controlling their corresponding perforating means to perforate a card in one field with data perforations and said selected perforator selecting means in said second sections controlling their corresponding perforating means to perforate such card in the other field with data perforations in accordance with the actuations of said devices.

25. In a punching machine, successive rows of perforator selecting means, each row including a first and a second group of peri'orator selecting means, a carriage operable step-by-step from successive positions to prepare successive rows of perforator selecting means for operation, a first group of magnets corresponding in number to the number of perforator selecting means in a first group of a single row, each magnet in said first group operable to control the setting of a corresponding perforator selecting means in each of said first groups when said carriage is stopped in the positions to prepare such perforator selecting means for operation, a second group of magnets corresponding in number to the number of perforator selecting-means in a second group of a single row, each magnet in said second group operable to control the setting of a corresponding perforator selecting means in each of said second groups when said carriage-is stopped in the positions to prepare such perforator selecting means for operation, and means including a set of keys for controlling the operation of both said groups of magnets, said last means operable in two stages to transfer the control of the keys from the first group magnets to the second group magnets, the first group magnets selected for operation in the first stage responsive to certain actuations of said keys and the selected first group magnets and the second group magnets operated in the second stage responsive to certain other actuations of the same or different keys.

26. In a marking machine, successive rows of a marker operating means, each row including a first and a second group of marker operating means, a first group of magnets, each magnet in said group controlling means to set a corresponding marker operating means in each of said first groups, a second group of magnets, each magnet in said second group controlling means to set a corresponding marker operating means in each of said second groups, means including a single set of keys for controlling'said magnets in both said groups to set said marker operating means in code combinations in any one of said groups, and means for operating said machine in two stages to set its groups of marker operating meansto mark in code combinations with a plurality of marks in a single marking operation, the first of said stages controlling the operation of said magnets in the first group responsive to certain actuations of said keys and the second of said stages controlling the operation of said magnets in the second group responsive to certain other actuations of the same or different ones of said keys.

27. In a marking machine, successive rows of marker selecting means, each row comprising a first and a second group of said marker selecting means, a plurality of devices, each device representing certain information, means for selecting a plurality of said marker selecting means in the first group of a row responsive to the first operation of any one of said devices, means for operating the selected marker selecting means in the first group and for operating a plurality of said marker selecting means in the second group of said row responsive to another operation of any one of said devices, means operated responsive to said other operation for rendering the next and means for marking a record with coded in formation in accordance with the operated ones of said marker selecting means.

28. In a recording system, a first marking machine having marking means for marking a record with single marks designating characters, a second marking machine having marking means for marking a smaller record with a plurality of combinational marks designating characters, the number of marking means required in the second machine being less than the number of marking means required in the first machine, a corresponding marker selecting means for each marking means, means common to both machines for controlling the selection of the marker selecting means of each an operation of the common means for selecting a single marker selecting means of the first machine and a plurality of marker selecting means of the second machine, and means for simultaneously operating the marking means in said machines in accordance with said selections to mark the first record with single marks and the smaller record with combinational marks whereby said records are marked with corresponding information but non-corresponding perforations.

29. In a recording system, a plurality of recording mechanisms, successive groups of marking devices in each mechanism, a set of contacting means for controlling the selections of said marking devices, and means responsive to the actuation of a first and a second of said contacting means for selecting marking devices in each machine, means responsive to of two groups in one of said mechanisms and for successive setting positions, a plurality of con tacting means for controlling the operation of said mechanism, and means for moving the carriage of said mechanism to successive setting positions responsive to only each successive second operation of any of said contacting means.

31. In a recording machine, the combination of marking means and a single set of contacting means for controlling the selections of said marking means, of a storage device, means responsive to the operation of one of said contacting means for setting said storage device in accordance with the actuated contacting means, and means responsive to another actuation of one of said contacting means for setting the marking means in accordance with the setting of said storage device and in accordance with the last actuated contacting means.

32. In a machine for marking records, a set of devices one for each character employed'in marking a record, a storage device comprising storing relays electrically operated by actuations oi the same or different ones of said devices for storing characters corresponding to the devices actuated, marking mechanism, and transfer means operable in response to subsequent actuations of the same or different ones of said devices for transferring said stored characters from said operated storage relays to set said marking mechanism to subsequently mark the record in accordance with the actuated devices.

33. In a machine for marking records, a set of devices one for each character employed in marking a record, storage means operated by a plurality of actuations of the same or different ones of Said devices for storing characters corresponding to the actuated devices, mark selecting mechanism, transfer means operable in response to subsequent actuations of the same of diiferent ones of said devices for transferring said stored characters from said storage device to set said mark selecting mechanism in accordance with the actuated devices, and marking means thereafter operable in accordance with the set mark selecting mechanism for marking the record in accordance with said plurality of actuated devices.

34. In a recording machine for marking records, a plurality of marking means for marking a record, a marker selecting means for each marking means, magnets for operating the marker selecting means, a storage device, a plurality of contacting means each corresponding to certain information, storage relays having contacts in said device operated in response to the actuation of one of said contacting means for storing the information corresponding to the actuated contacting means, circuits subsequently completed through the contacts of the operated storage relays in response to a subsequent actuation of one of said contacting means for operating the magnets in accordance with the previously actuated contacting means, a plurality of said marker selecting means operated by the operated ones of said magnets, and means for thereafter operating said marking means in accordance with the operated marker selecting means to mark a record.

35. In a recording apparatus, two sets of marking elements each arranged in rows both longitudinally and transversely, corresponding transverse rows of each set being in alignment, a set of controlling devices one for each character employed in said recording apparatus, and means responsive to a plurality of operations of the same or difierent ones of said devices for setting the marking elements in each of the two corresponding aligned transverse rows, the two aligned transverse rows thereby having marking elements set in accordance with a plurality of characters to be recorded.

36. In a recording apparatus, two sets of marking elements each arranged in rows both longitudinally and transversely, corresponding transverse rows of each set being in alignment, a set of contolling devices one for each character employed in said recording apparatus, means responsive to a plurality of operations of the same or different ones of said devices for setting the marking elements in each of the two corresponding aligned transverse-rowsr the two aligned transverse rows thereby having marking elements set in accordance with a plurality of characters to be recorded, and means for thereafter causing the set marking elements to record the characters corresponding to the actuated devices.

3'7. In a recording apparatus, marking elements arranged in rows both longitudinally and transversely, each transverse row divided into two sets of marking elements, a set of controlling devices one for each character employed in said recording apparatus, means responsive to sue-- cessive operations of the same or diflerent ones of said devices for setting the marking elements in said sets successively to thereby set the marking elements in both sets in each transverse row, each such operation of any one of said devices controlling only the setting of the marking elements in one set, and each transverse row thereby having marking elements set in accordance with a plurality of characters to be recorded, and

means operated thereafter to cause said set marking elements to record the characters corresponding to the actuated devices.

38. In a recording apparatus, rows of marker selecting elements, a set of controlling devices one for each character employed in said recording apparatus, means responsive to the actuation of any one of said devices at one time for selecting certain marker selecting elements in one of said rows, means responsive to the actuation of any one of said devices at another time for setting the selected marking elements and certain other marker selecting elements in the same row, and marking means operated thereafter in accordance with said set marker selecting elements to record the characters corresponding to the actuated devices.

39. In a machine for recording data, a plurality of rows of marking means, each marking means adapted to mark an object with a single mark, each of said rows comprising a first and a second group of marking means, said object having two fields corresponding respectively to the first and second groups of said marking means, and means for operating a combination of marking means in any one of said first groups for a given character to thereby mark data in the field corresponding to said first groups and for operating a combination of marking means in any one of said second groups for said given character to thereby mark data in the other field corresponding to the said second groups.

40. In a machine for marking records, successive rows of marker selecting means, each row including a first and a second group of marker selecting means, a carriage operable step by step from successive positions to prepare successive rows of marker selecting means for operation, a first group of magnets corresponding in number to the number of marker selecting means in a first group of a single row, each magnet operable to control the setting of a corresponding marker selecting means in each of said first groups when said carriage is stopped in the positions to prepare such marker selecting means for operation, a second group of magnets corresponding in number to the number of marker selecting means in a second group of a single row, each magnet in said second group operable to control the setting of a corresponding marker selecting means in each of said second groups when said carriage is stopped in the positions to prepare such marker selecting means for operation, and means for operating said machine in two stages to set its groups of marker selecting means to mark in code combinations, the first stage controlling the operation of said magnets in the first group and the second stage controlling the operation of said magnets in the second group.

41. In a punching machine, two groups of selecting magnets, a group of storage relays controlling the magnets of one group, a set of keys controlling said relays and the magnets of the other group, and means for automatically shifting the control of said keys from the said relays to said magnets and back again responsive to successive key operations.

42. In a recording apparatus, marker selecting elements arranged in rows both longitudinally and transversely, a plurality of setting means corresponding in number to the number of marker selecting means in each transverse row, each setting means corresponding to a longitudinal row and adapted to be operated to set any marker selecting element in such longitudinal row, a plurality of controlling devices one for each character employed in said recording apparatus, each device corresponding to a plurality of marker selecting elements in each transverse row, means for selecting a plurality of said setting means and for operating the same in response to a plurality of actuations of said character devices to set the marker selecting elements corresponding to the actuated devices in only one of said transverse rows, and marking means operated thereafter in accordance with the set marker selecting elements to record the characters corresponding to the actuated devices in a single row corresponding to 5 said one transverse row.

LOUIS FRANK WOODRUFF. MARTIN L. NELSON. 

